Etymology

anyway

A1N1Y4W4A1Y4

Today it means: Regardless; anyhow. Full definition →

First used 19th c.
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The story

From any + way.

First known use, by meaning

  • from 19th c. Regardless; anyhow.
  • from 19th c. Used to indicate that a statement explains or supports a previous statement. See anyhow and at least.
  • 16th–19th c. In any way.

Etymology from Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.